(no subject)

[called_lioness]

The hike to the castle is easy enough. It would likely have taken less time if Mary hadn’t been curious and wanted to stop and look at some of the older trees.

But that’s what holidays are about, really.

The plan is to ride to Port Caynn tomorrow and swim in the sea before spending the night at an inn of…slightly dubious reputation. (Alanna assures her it’s safe now. Lucy makes a note not to mention any former smugglers to Archibald Craven.)

But tonight is for camping, and as the evening approaching Lucy heads out to stroke her borrowed mare’s neck and make sure the supplies are all ready.

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[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary remembers telling Lucy that she wanted to be a Lioness - a Lioness because she wanted to be like Lucy.

"I am yellow," she says, aloud, "and I am fierce. Though I hit instead of biting. I will be some kind of Lioness, I think."

But not, perhaps, quite exactly the same kind as Lucy. The same kind in a lot of ways, she thinks, but not exactly the same.

Because Mary has a garden and a tree, and a cousin, and best friends, and she is not going to leave them until she is pulled away kicking and screaming.

(She thinks this, not yet understanding - accepting more, but not understanding - that Lucy essentially is.)

[called_lioness]

"You are yellow," she murmurs, "and you are fierce. And you love with all your heart when love you do, and have faced witches and walked with warriors. And you serve the Lion, when you love your garden. You will be one. And I will be so very proud."

There's a soft kiss before she finishes, "I already am. So very proud of thee, my dear and lovely Lady Mary."

[mistressmaryquitecontrary]

Mary still doesn't understand why Lucy would be proud of her - not really. It is only what she is.

And she still hates Lucy a little, for leaving; and she still thinks that if she really wanted, she could have stayed -

But all the same, she can say, and say honestly, looking up at Lucy, "I am glad of it."

[called_lioness]

Lucy smiles, a very little, and kisses Mary's forehead.

And there are other things they'll do, and they'll stay another night, even if Mary won't smile so brightly when she gets the first started the second time--

But for now she just holds the smaller girl and rests her cheek on her hair and listens to birds sing as she watches the trees.